Police Release Descriptions of Cadaver-Theft Suspects

Descriptions of two suspects in the theft of a body from a Westminster mausoleum were released Wednesday, though police said they have yet to discover the motive for the unusual crime.

Det. Mike Proctor said two men were seen in the area at the time of the Nov. 18 theft. One was described as white, in his early 20s, 5 feet, 8 inches or 5 feet, 9 inches tall and with cropped blond hair. The other was described as darker skinned, about 6 feet tall with a slender build and short hair.

The two were seen driving a black 1969 to 1973 Ford truck with chrome wheel rims, tinted windows and a black cover over the bed.

Police said the two also were seen near the truck, which had been parked next to Memorial Park Cemetery Mortuary and Florist.

Also, one of the men had been spotted climbing the mortuary fence, authorities said.

Police are now processing fingerprints that were collected at the scene.

The thieves apparently used a tool to remove the casket from the mausoleum, investigators said. The vault was opened, the casket removed and the remains taken out and carried away.

The body was that of an 85-year-old woman and had been interred at the cemetery since 1991. Her identity has been withheld at her family’s request.